Sofiane Belasri, 41, of Dalston Lane, Hackney, has been handed a two-year suspended sentence at Southwark Crown Court on Monday, September 7, after being found guilty of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl outside Liverpool Street station. The assault occurred in July 2024 while the victim was sitting on steps outside the busy London station with two friends.
Details of the assault
Belasri sat behind the victim, attempted to kiss her, and touched her inappropriately, despite the victim repeatedly insisting she was not interested in him. He then offered to buy the victim and her friends a vape if they followed him to an alley and performed oral sex on him.
The victim's friend ran across the road to Bishopsgate Police station to report the incident. Police officers immediately responded and arrested Belasri on suspicion of sexual assault.
Trial and sentencing
Following a trial in July 2026, Belasri was found guilty of the assault. At his sentencing on September 7, the court imposed a two-year suspended sentence, meaning he will avoid immediate imprisonment.
Detective Inspector Matthew Alexander, of the Public Protection Unit at the City of London Police, stated that police are "reviewing the sentence handed down by the court."
Police response and victim support
DI Alexander praised the victim and her friends for their bravery in coming forward, saying: "I want to praise the victim and her friends for the bravery they have demonstrated in coming forward. Without her assistance we wouldn’t have been able to bring this case to court."
He encouraged anyone affected by similar offences to contact police, noting that "specialist officers are trained to handle reports with care, sensitivity and professionalism, while working relentlessly to investigate offences and bring offenders to justice." He added that everyone has the right to feel safe and that police will continue working with partners and communities to identify offenders and protect vulnerable people.
The City of London Police continue to review the sentence, and the case highlights the ongoing efforts to address sexual offences in the City.
